Austin makes first court appearance on traffic charge

QUINCY — Adams County Board Chairman Bret Austin appeared before Judge Roger Thomson Wednesday afternoon to face charges for leaving the scene of a June traffic accident.

Pike County State’s Attorney Walker Filbert will serve as the special prosecutor in the case as the Adams County State’s Attorney’s office has recused itself due to Austin’s position with the County.

Austin will be arraigned on Sept. 3.

According to the QPD report, a witness reported that Austin’s truck entered the Taco Bell parking lot on 826 Broadway on June 19 around midnight. The report states made contact with another car and Austin’s truck lost a running board as he was leaving Taco Bell.

Austin was issued a ticket the next day.

At the July 15 County Board meeting, County Board member Jeremy Farlow (R-District 4) chastised Austin for what he called a lack of transparency regarding the incident. Austin said he had e-mailed a letter to all County Board members regarding the incident but had no further comment, citing his upcoming court appearance on the matter.

Austin is being represented in the case by attorney Nick Rober.